Exercising device



Sept. 8, 1925. 1,552,784

W A. WELLES EXERCISING DEVICE Filed 001..8, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR. 1411/19! A. Man" BY e A T TO EYS.

Sept. 8, 1925. 1,552,784

W. A. WELLES EXERCISING DEVICE Filed Oct. 8, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheei 3 77a 13 77 V 1 Mam $3 2222:

BY ATTOR EYS.

Patented Sept. 8, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. WELLES, F WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON.

EXERCISING DEVICE.

Application filed October 8, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM A. VELLES,

a citizen of the United States, residing at lValla Walla, in the county of lValla Walla and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Exercising Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a method of teaching bowing in the art of violin playing, whereby the bowing muscles and other parts of the arm and body, are rapidly trained and educated in the art.

One object of the invention is to provide a method for rapidly developing the muscles used in bowing.

Another object of the invention is to train the muscles of the arm, including those of the wrist and fingers, so that a proper flexibility is obtained without the strain im posed by the position of the members engaged.

A further object of the invention is to educate the bowing muscles by app-lying a tension, or restraining influence, counter to the unnatural tension of the muscles caused by the position of the arm when in the proper position for bowing and thus distributing the strain which tends to an ease of movement rapidly acquired.

\Vith these, and other objects in view which will present themselves as the case proceeds, reference is now had to the accompanying drawings which represent one means by which this invention accomplishes its result, and graphically portrays some of the exercises and movements obtained.

Fig. l is a front elevation of the device;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a plan of the device with extension member removed;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the guide bar showing two extension members combined;

Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 4 but showing asingle short extension member;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of one of the shorter extension members;

Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 5 showing a different extension member;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the device and shows the relative position of the violin, bow, and guide bar;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the device graphically portraying one of the movements;

Serial No. 506,282.

Fig. 9 shows the correct position of holding the bow; and

Figs. l0, 11, 12, 13, and 14 graphically portray other movements.

Having reference to the drawings like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and the numeral 1 refers to a frame which is rigidly supported by a wall or other stationary object 2 by means of yokes 3 or a yoke and foot 4 as shown.

A guide member, or bar, 5 is attached to the frame by means of plates 6 and is made adjustable by bolt-s 7 which pass through the plates and the slots 8 in the frame being fastened in the desired position within the limits of the slots by means of the thumb nut-s 9. a

The guide bar is preferably positioned horizontal and carries at its outer point a loop 10 wherewith to provide a central point that is fixed with relation tothe extension members which move from this central point during operation.

A plurality of extension members are provided consisting of a. semi-flexible rod 11 a flexible linked cable 12, a flexible cable of medium length 13, a flexible cable of shorter length 14, and a flexible short cable 15.

The cables and rod are provided with books 16, or other suitable means for attaching purposes and are interchangeable, and may be attached, either to the loop 10, one to anotheras at 17 see F ig. 4, or to the bow 18, as occasion may require.

The extension members are attached to the bow between the first and second fingers, 19 and 20 respectively, of the hand as shown in Fig. 9, this being the point of horizontal balance of the bow for the first finger on one side of the hook exerts about the same strength on this side of the hook as the com bined second and third fingers exerts on the other side of the hook. The fourth finger 21 is not considered in the horizontal balancing as it restson top of the bow, see Fig. 9.

The muscles of all fingers however, including the fourth finger, are affected by the restraining influence of the tension members as the point of attachment of the hook and the bow becomes a pivotal point 105 about which the bow may rotate in all directions; and hence to overcome any tendency toward undue rotation the muscles are developed about a certain definite. point resulting in more rapid development.

In all of the movements of the bow in practice the bow follows a definite path over the strings of the instrument, and obviously with this path determined by me chanical means, the bowing muscles are forced to follow the same path; and it is a known fact that with muscles educated to a certain movement, in a positive manner, and without deviation, these muscles will become fully trained in much less time and wit-h less effort than where the slightest deviation occurs.

By use of the various extension members different exercises may be obtained which will develop and educate not only the muscles of the fingers but all muscles of the arm and body brought into play during the performance of these exercises.

In Fig. 7 it will be noted that the longitudinal axis of the violin 22 is parallel to the guide bar 5 and that the bow 18 is positioned perpendicular to this axis, and to the axis of the guide bar. This position holds true whether the short extension member 15 is used or the longer members are used, as this is the proper position of the bow while in contact with the strings 23.

The guide bar is of suflicient length to provide ample room away from the wall for the violin, when the short member is added.

Fig. 8 shows a full bow movement, with the bow in a horizontal position, and Fig. 12 shows a similar movement with the bow in a vertical position. In both of these movements a long stroke is obtained requiring a full arm movement thus bringing into play the muscles of the arm and shoulders. Obviously the length of stroke depends upon the length of extension member for should a long stroke be taken with a short extension member, the bow, following the circle described by a short radius, would soon pass to an improper position on the violin.

The hand and bow may follow a circular path as shown or obviously a horizontal path may be followed.

The circular movement may be anti-clockwise, as in Fig. 10, in which the exercise will move the bow from one string to another, or chords may be produced by a sweeping movement over a plurality of strings. In a clockwise movement, as shown in Fig. 11, an upstroke will occur.

A spiccato movement may be obtained, as shown in Fig. 13, in which case short. distinct and pointed notes will occur. This movement brings into play the forearm mus cles principally and a more rapid movement of the bow resulting in greater rapidity of action.

In Fig. 7 a very short stroke is shown as in a wrist movement and is'used to develop the muscles of the wrist.

The member 11 is semi-flexible and consists of a rod and is used to break in the muscles of a new beginner or where heavier exercises are required.

The cable member has greater flexibility than the rod, with the cable member 12 having still greater flexibility owing to the links; thus flexibility and length of stroke, determining as it does the severity of the exercise, may be graduated to suit conditions by the many combinations which may be secured with the various extension members; and these affecting the various muscles with varying degrees of intensity provides a complete training of the bowing muscles.

It has been found by actual trial with the device portrayed herein that a peculiarly pleasant sensation occurs in the bowing muscles while practicing (the sensation has been described as the feel of an artist), that there is a surprising absence of all rasping noises, and that a beginner produces tones of great sweetness almost immediately.

As the above outlines the uses of the invention further description is deemed unnecessary, I therefore claim the following:

1. In an exercising device, a stationary frame, a guide bar adjustably attached to said frame, and extended radially there from to establish a fixed center, a plurality of interchangeable extensions members provided with an attaching means for loosely engaging a bow, and means for attaching any one of said members to said guide bar for rotation about said center.

2. In an exercising device, a stationary frame, a guide bar adjustably attached to said frame, and extended radially therefrom to establish a fixed center, a loop attached to the outer point of said guide bar to form said center, interchangeable extension members provided with an attaching hook for loosely engaging a bow, and means for attaching said extension members to said loop for rotation about said center.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

IVILLIAM A. WVELLES. 

